Who are the Half Century Trojans (HCTs)? We’re a vibrant community of all USC alumni (including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree holders) who earned a bachelor’s degree from any college or university at least 50 years ago. As caretakers of USC history and tradition, HCTs are uniquely positioned to promote the Trojan Spirit and strengthen the bonds that connect USC alumni lifelong and worldwide.
Half Century Trojans Hall of Fame Awards & Welcome Brunch
Friday, November 14 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Town and Gown
Held during the Fall in conjunction with Alumni Weekend, the Half Century Trojan Hall of Fame Awards & Welcome Brunch welcomes the newest group of Half Century Trojans — the 50 year reunion class — into the community and celebrates remarkable Half Century Trojans into the HCT Hall of Fame. These Half Century Trojans exemplify the ideals of the Trojan Family and have had a significant impact in their fields.
We’ll also recognize the classes celebrating their 75th (1950), 70th (1955), 65th (1960), 60th (1965) and 55th (1970) reunions!
Thank you for helping us recognize the lifelong achievements of our most inspiring Trojans.
Please see below for more information on our 2025 honorees. If you have any questions about the nominating process, please email us.
2025 Honoree Bios
Hall of Fame Awards
Daniel J. Epstein ’62
Daniel J. Epstein is the founder of the ConAm Group. Under his direction, ConAm has grown to be among the top apartment management/ownership firms in the United States. ConAm presently manages in excess of 60,000 apartments throughout the United States valued at more than $20 billion, and has developed and constructed in excess of 35,000 units.
Epstein serves on several boards, including the USC Board of Trustees and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Board of Councilors. He also serves on the USC Advisory Committee of the USC Viterbi School’s Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, as well as on the boards of Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, the UC San Diego Foundation and the Cal State University San Marcos Foundation. Committed to private sector community involvement, Epstein is active in numerous civic and charitable activities. Mr. Epstein is also a member of the Chief Executives’ Organization and the Young Presidents’ Organization.
Over the years, the Epstein family has made numerous transformative donations to the university, including a naming gift for the Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at USC Viterbi; the lead gift to fund the Epstein Family Alumni Center; a naming gift for the USC Epstein Family Center for Sports Medicine; and a major gift to the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. They have also contributed generously to the USC Shoah Foundation.
In 1994, Epstein received the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Alumnus Award. Five years later, Ernst & Young named him San Diego’s 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year for Real Estate Industry. The Institute of Industrial Engineers (IISE) honored Epstein as a first-ever recipient of its President’s Award. In 2016, USC Alumni Association recognized Dan with its highest honor, the Asa V. Call Achievement Award.
Epstein earned a BS in industrial and systems engineering from the USC Viterbi School. His daughter and son are both USC graduates.
Jacque J. Sokolov ’75, MD ’78
Jacque J. Sokolov is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the USC Dornsife College of School of Letters, Arts and Sciences who earned his MD from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He remains heavily involved with the university as a Presidential Associate and serves on the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Board of Councilors.
Professionally, Sokolov is chairman and chief executive officer of SSB, a diversified U.S.-based healthcare management, development and investment company. Its four strategic businesses include SSB Solutions, SSB Investment Funds, SSB Financial Services and SSB Governmental Contracting.
At present, Sokolov is actively involved in the expansion of SSB’s Physician Practice Management companies (PPMs), mRNA/DNA diagnostic and vaccine technologies and advanced AI enabled cardiac imaging. The company operates across the United States and has worked with more than 150 healthcare organizations in virtually every healthcare sector.
Sokolov currently serves — and has served — on multiple domestic and international public, private and nonprofit corporate healthcare boards, including Lucid Diagnostics, Artrya, MedCath, Calviri, AKOS, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Hospira, Summit Health Management and the National Association of Corporate Directors.
Distinguished Service Award
Robert Allan Frinier ’63, MBA ’69
Robert “Bob” Frinier is a past president of the Half Century Trojans (HCT) Board of Directors and a former HCT representative to the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors. A first-generation college graduate, Frinier served in the U.S. Army after graduating in 1963. He later returned to USC to earn his MBA in 1969.
After beginning his career at the Ford Motor Company, Frinier joined Nissan in 1980 to help launch its first U.S. manufacturing operations. He eventually became a vice president at Nissan, overseeing supply chain management, computer operations/software development and North American logistics. Frinier also remained active in professional and civic organizations, including Rotary International and the Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association. After retiring from Nissan in 1999, he continued to work as a supply chain consultant for twelve years, and also mentored entrepreneurs as U.S. Small Business Administration volunteer.
A dedicated Trojan, Frinier established the HCT’s popular technology workshops in partnership with GeroTech USC students and the USC Emeriti Center. These online workshops offer practical, peer-to-peer tech learning for senior alumni. He and his wife, Judy ’64, live in Rancho Palos Verdes; they have three children and nine grandchildren and enjoy USC football, travel and time at their Big Bear Lake cabin.
Half Century Trojans Speaker Series + Virtual Classes without Quizzes
Thank you to all who could join us in the Spring to learn from USC’s experts on the resources available today and research being done to provide advancements in the future. In addition to the faculty presentations, HCT conducted the annual general meeting where we were able to welcome the newest Board members from the class of 1974. Please find more information below on the presentations.
- Classes without Quizzes – Day 1 (Virtual)
Tuesday, April 29 | 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. PT- Theme: Architecture
- Speaker: Ruth Wallach, MPAS ’07 (Roski), MHC ’13 (Architecture)
Associate Dean, Social Sciences and Humanities Libraries Division
USC Libraries - Recording: Click here
- Classes without Quizzes – Day 2 (Virtual)
Thursday, May 1 | 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. PT- Theme: Memory Care
- Speaker: Charles Liu, MD, PhD
Director
USC Neurorestoration Center - Recording: Click here
Half Century Trojans Commencement Procession
The University of Southern California and the USC Alumni Association invite the Half Century Trojans to attend the Commencement ceremony and march with fellow Half Century Trojans in the academic procession each year. We are so grateful to have dedicated alumni like yourselves who continue to stay involved with the University and want to celebrate our newest members of the Trojan Family each year. It is a special experience to have everyone together for commencement.
Photos from the 2025 Half Century Trojans Commencement Procession
The Half Century Trojan Scholarship Program
A merit-based scholarship, the Half Century Trojans Endowed Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who are direct descendants of Half Century Trojans. Your gift will help ensure that a USC education remains within reach for the children and grandchildren of alumni who want to make USC a family tradition. Roughly 30 $13,000 scholarships are awarded annually.
Contact the USC Dornsife Office of Advancement by calling (213) 740-4990 or visit dornsife.usc.edu/giving to make a donation.
Applicants
The scholarship is open to continuing undergraduate students who are direct descendants of Half Century Trojans. These scholarships can be renewed for the remainder of the recipient’s undergraduate career at USC, based on continued strong academic performance. Scholarship recipients must meet the academic standards adopted by the Half Century Trojans Board of Directors. Scholarship recipients may pursue any academic major in any USC school. Students interested in obtaining more information may visit https://dornsife.usc.edu/css/hct/.
The Selection Process
Selected applicants are invited to interview with the Half Century Trojans Selection Committee. Applicants should provide evidence of academic achievement, leadership, participation in extracurricular activities, work experience and a commitment to community service.
Contribute
Support for the Half Century Trojans Endowed Scholarship Fund can be provided in a variety of forms, including cash, appreciated securities, real estate or other assets. Contributions can also be made through wills, living trusts, charitable gift annuities, or any combination of these devices. Whatever its structure, each gift to the scholarship fund benefits talented students at USC.
To make a gift directly online, please see below Give Now button:
If sending contribution via check, please complete and mail this form along with a check made out to the USC Half Century Trojan Scholarship, to the following address:
USC Half Century Trojans Scholarship Fund
Epstein Family Alumni Center
3607 Trousdale Parkway, TCC 305
Los Angeles, CA 90089-3106
History
The USCAA Half Century Trojans Scholarships began in Fall 1998 with an award of $2500 to one freshman student. Today we award $11,000 to each scholarship student per year. This year we have 22 undergraduate students each having a relative who graduated from USC at least 50 years ago.
Over the past 22 years HCT has been able to provide scholarship assistance to 113 very worthy students. The Scholarship program is funded by 7 trust funds plus yearly gifts from individuals.
The USC Half Century Trojans appreciate the leadership of dedicated members who have served as Scholarship Chair over the past 25 years.
Words of Appreciation
“I am midway through my junior year here at USC and I am studying International Relations and Legal Studies. I have grown up in a my own little Trojan family, my grandfather Albert graduated from USC with his MBA in the ’70s and my mother Kelly graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Business in the ’90s. I feel very blessed to have been chosen for the HCT Scholarship, and it has alleviated some of the financial burden on my family, allowing me to continue my education at my dream school. I am incredibly grateful to the HCT scholarship committee for this opportunity.”
—Madeline Kelley, Class of 2023 (Dornsife)
“Hi, I’m Blake. I am a second semester junior in the Marshall School of Business with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Cinematic Arts. This is my first year in person at USC and I am really enjoying it. I’m playing on the indoor and beach club volleyball teams and work with Traveler on the field during football games. I’ve also worked hard to make the Dean’s List, just like my grandfather and sister before me. I am incredibly humbled and grateful to have been selected as a Half-Century Trojan scholar. I feel blessed to be part of such an amazing university which has quickly become my second home. Thank you for making my dreams possible!”
—Blake Zingerman, Class of 2023 (Marshall)
“I am a junior majoring in Business Administration and pursuing an emphasis in Finance, and I am actively involved in the Marshall Real Estate Finance Association and my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. My half century Trojan connection is through my grandmother, Nancy Whelan, who graduated from USC in 1954. I am so grateful to be a Half Century Trojan Scholar, as it most definitely helps relieve some of the financial burdens of attending USC and allows me to further connect with USC alumni. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity, and Fight On!”
—Katie Scarborough, Class of 2023 (Marshall)
“I am a senior studying Computer Engineering and Computer Science. I come from a huge Trojan family – my grandfather, father, and many aunts, uncles and cousins studied at USC. It is such an honor to be an HCT Scholar, and I am so grateful for the support of this community. From working at Microsoft and Meta (Facebook), to working on incredible research projects and getting involved in a variety of clubs, I have had so many opportunities as an undergraduate at USC. This school is my home away from home, and I am so happy to be here!”
—Isabelle Lau, Class of 2023 (Viterbi)
“I am a sophomore studying Biomedical Engineering. My HCT relative is my grandfather, who earned his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at USC in the ’60s. I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship, since it gives me the financial freedom to volunteer at a lab in the Department of Otolaryngology. This hands-on research experience is invaluable to me, and I am continually fascinated with the medical optics projects I get to work on.”
—Kate Sweetland, Class of 2024 (Viterbi)
“I am a sophomore from Pasadena, California, majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Law (Pre-Law) and minoring in Entrepreneurship. I am extremely thankful and honored to have received the Half Century Trojans Scholarship. This scholarship motivates me to continue making a difference and being a man for and with others. Thank you for your generosity and, rest assured, I will be pay it forward. Being the fifteenth person in my family to attend USC, the person who started it all is my grandfather John Aschieris, who graduated from USC in 1958. Thank you again for your generosity and recognition. Fight On!”
—Cicero Aschieris, Class of 2024 (Dornsife)
“I am a sophomore pursuing a dual degree in piano performance and mechanical engineering. I am so grateful for the flexibility to pursue two drastically different fields of study at an elite university. My Trojan connection is through my step-grandfather, who was a proud USC alumnus and graduated with a B.A. in 1956. I am incredibly appreciative of the HCT community for the financial support towards helping me focus on my educational and career goals, and as a scholarship recipient, I plan to give back in the future by contributing to the success of the next generation of Trojans.”
—Michael Groner, Class of 2024 (Thornton)
“I am a junior in Cinema and Media Studies at USC School of Cinematic Arts. My great grandfather, Jerome Lawrence Erlich, attended USC for both undergrad and law school in the 1930’s. I am incredibly grateful for the HCT scholarship because single-handedly it allowed me to pursue the most prestigious film education in the world and for my sister and I to carry on the Trojan tradition.”
—Hunter Cibula, Class of 2023 (SCA)
Newsletters
- Spring 2025
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- Fall 2023
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- Fall 2022
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- Fall 2021
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- Spring 2020
- Fall 2019
Board
Officers
Trish Foley Vick ’67, Immediate Past President
Charla Tindall ’67, President
Diana Chipps Jones Geosano ’69, President-Elect
Ilene Abramson ’72, MS ’73, Recording Secretary
Ben Wong ’73, PhD ’78, Corresponding Secretary
2025-2026 Co-Chairs
Ann Hill ’71, MA ’73 Awards
Cinda K. Lucas ’70, Awards
Janet Tonkovich ’64, Bylaws and Policy
Charlie Cochrane ’73, History
Bob Padgett ’67, History
Patricia Vick ’67, Nominations
Sue Bennett ’69, Scholarship
Linda Sutherland ’72, Scholarship
Diane Wallace ’69, Scholarship
Larry Steven Londre ’71, MBA ’74, Social Media & Events
Kirk Stewart ’73, MPR ’76, Social Media & Events
Ben Wong ’73, PhD ’78, Social Media & Events
Sally Jobgen Edwards ’65* Trojan Global Outreach
Robert E. Lutz ’68, Trojan Global Outreach
Committee Members
Jay Vari Berger ’66, MS ’67, PhD ’71*
Terry Bustillos ’73, MS ’74, EdD ’89
Dan Cassidy ’59**
Jim Childs ’61**
Candy Duncan ’52
Carl N. Everett ’72
Robert Frinier ’63, MBA ’69**
Karen Hackett ’68
Nancy Schmid Hunt ’72
Gary Iseminger ’69
Laurie Love ’70, EdD ’93
Jim Manos ’54, MS ’59, PhD ’74
Mary Manos ’58
Neil Martin ’67, JD ’67
Christine Ofiesh ’74
Dan Orr ’71
Lorna Reed ’58**
Derald Sidler ’67
Sheila Smith ’70
Kathy Stumm ’74
Valerie Gumbiner Weiss ’74, MPA ’81
Anna Wong ’74
Doug Yarrow ’68
Candy Yee ’68, MS ’69
* Past Presidents
** Presidents Emeriti
(Former Half Century Trojan presidents who faithfully served our alumni group for more than five years after their presidential tenure).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get involved?
There is no formal registration process to become a Half Century Trojan. All USC-degreed alumni automatically become Half Century Trojans once they reach the 50-year anniversary of receiving their undergraduate degree. For more information on becoming involved with Half Century Trojans, please contact the USC Alumni Association at (213) 740-2300 or e-mail.
Can I contribute to Scholarships?
Half Century Trojans strengthen the university’s legacy by sponsoring the Half Century Trojans Scholarship Program, which annually confers scholarships of $13,000 each to a number of direct descendants of Half Century Trojans. The scholarships, open only to continuing USC students, are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership potential and community service. For more information, please contact the USC Dornsife Office of Advancement by calling (213) 740-4990 or visit dornsife.usc.edu/giving to make a donation.
Are you a student interested in applying for the Half Century Trojan Scholarship?
Applications open each Fall and remain open until early in the Spring semester. For details on this year’s process including the application link, please go to dornsife.usc.edu/css/hct/.
HCT Event Photo Albums
We are so grateful to have dedicated alumni who come back to USC for different events. Click below to get a glimpse of the incredible memories created.
Still Fighting On!